Making it Work: Federal Agency Recruiting Summit
Date: October 4, 2006
Location: Washington, D.C.
On the Bravo network television show “Project Runway,” contestants compete for a chance to break into the exclusive fashion industry. Featured designers must stand out among their competitors to win the approval of the show’s highly critical judges. Given limited resources, time constraints, and seemingly impossible goals, entrants must simply “make it work.”
Like the show’s competitors, federal recruiters face tough audiences with zero tolerance for excuses. College students looking for jobs don’t want to hear why they don’t know about specific job vacancies, why they don’t receive updates on their application status, or why hiring decisions aren’t timely. The students simply don’t have the patience for these problems. If the federal government doesn’t meet their needs, other employers will. Despite budget constraints and other obstacles, federal recruiters must also simply “make it work.” The question is: “How?”
On October 4, with support from CareerBuilder.com, the Partnership for Public Service sponsored a Federal Agency Recruiting Summit to discuss just that—how to make it work. More than 100 attendees, largely senior human resources officials—such as Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO), Deputy CHCOs, and HR Directors representing about 50 federal agencies—gathered to learn current best practices and discuss how they can better compete for talent. Through a combination of plenary sessions and interactive workshops, attendees heard from other leaders in recruiting and shared concerns common across agencies.
Dan Blair, Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), offered an update on new trends in the federal workplace, including “career patterns,” which outlines staffing models with greater relevance for today’s students. A panel discussion with recent hires and students revealed the applicant perspective, illuminating many shortcomings in our current system. Representatives from McKinsey & Company and Teach for America profiled the “competition,” sharing core principles of recruiting in the private industry and the non-profit sector. To help agencies improve their hiring processes, attendees learned about the new Hiring Toolkit Web site, a joint project of OPM and the Partnership that exhibits various successful tools and techniques.
This Summit is the first in a series of events over the coming year—including workshops, presentations, and working groups—that will culminate in the National Career Services Conference in May 2007. Together, these events foster a collaborative approach for agencies to share information on sustainable, cost-effective ways to attract top talent. When we view the federal government as one brand, we know that we are all in this together, and we will make it work.
To view the Hiring Toolkit, visit www.opm.gov/hiringtoolkit.
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
CALENDAR
Webinar - Mission-Critical Occupations: Jobs in Business
Date: March 11, 11:00 a.m.-noon
While many business-minded students have opted to pursue careers in the private sector in the past, the government is in critical need of people with these skill sets and has a wide variety of positions with great benefits available for these individuals. Join us to learn more about what agencies are hiring for students in business and what programs can help your students get their start in government.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Jenn Close
Webinar - Federal Hiring Reforms
Date: March 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
When is USAJOBS getting a makeover? Will KSAs disappear? Do agencies have to get in touch with applicants at four points during the application process? Learn the answers to these questions and more as Partnership staff members and agency representatives discuss federal hiring reforms and the changes applicants can expect to see in 2010.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Jenn Close
Webinar - Marketing to the Masses: How to Brand Your Public Service Campaign
Date: April 22, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Marketing and branding are critical components of any federal service campaign. In order for your federal initiatives to be successful, they need to be recognized by your student body and viewed in a positive light. Hear from Partnership staff members, agency representatives and Innovation Grant recipient schools about the best ways to market and brand your public service activities.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Jenn Close
Webinar - Mission-Critical Occupations: Jobs in STEM
Date: May 3, 11:00 a.m.-noon
The government has thousands of opportunities available in fields from renewable energy to public health to protecting our nation’s computer systems. Hear from Partnership staff members and agency representatives about what it’s like to work in these fields in government, as well as learn about special hiring authorities that will make it easier for your students and alumni to find federal jobs and internships.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Jenn Close
Annenberg Leadership Seminar - Leading from Your Level
Date: April 21-22, 2010
This seminar will introduce you to techniques for getting results, regardless of level, by: understanding and capitalizing on your unique strengths; defining and expanding your role in the agency; establishing credibility; influencing and communicating with leaders and peers; and cultivating a network of leaders and peers who will support your job-specific and career goals.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Laura Howes
Public Service Recognition Week - Innovation and Opportunity
Date: May 6-9, 2010
The National Mall event, hosted by the Partnership and the Public Employees Roundtable will showcase this year’s theme of “Innovation and Opportunity” with educational and interactive agency exhibits as well as panels and information on how citizens can make a difference through federal jobs and internships. We’ll share what opportunities are available, give tips on how to apply and stand out from the crowd, and why our government is the right place for the best and brightest to make a difference for our nation.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Amin Cyntje
Annenberg Leadership Seminar - Driving Innovation
Date: May 18-19, 2010
This seminar will introduce you to techniques leaders use to find breakthrough solutions and to initiate change by: identifying and understanding root causes; brainstorming potential solutions; testing ideas on a small scale to earn support; and scaling and spreading proven ideas.
For more information or to register, click here.
Partnership Contact: Laura Howes
For more information about our events, please contact events@ourpublicservice.org or call (202) 775-9111.
